Wigan signing Matty Smith from Salford was an inspired move and whilst some armchair experts questioned this signing I believe he has all the necessary attributes to be the best half in England, he would even be my number one choice right now for England and the world cup.
I've heard some forum members question his speed and ability to take players on. But a lot of good halves lack pace but make up for it with their leadership qualities, kicking game and distribution, I think Matty is a bit similar to Brett Kimberley, he's not the quickest but leads
the team around the park well and his passing game is spot on. I remember when the Kangaroos toured a few years back and everyone was raving about their missing players and how England were favourites. Andrew Johns was missing also but Kimmorley always stepped in and caused us problems. There wasn't anything apparently dangerous about him in terms of comparing him to Johns but he was a pain in the ass for England to play against, a thorn in the side, I think Matty can fill this role for England.

Playing behind one of the weakest packs in SL, Matty still managed to show real talent on occasion. When he went back to Saints for the play-offs, he played behind a decent pack and looked world class ..... until the final. In that final, he looked really average.

To sum up, he has the talent. He can't win games on his own. He needs a decent pack to play off. But he might just get all of that at Wigan and he might develop into a true international. Lot of 'might's there though. I hope he does become a great, for GB's sake.

and therein lies the problem with smith, he is fa too inconsistent to be an international let alone be classed as a great player, i am made up wigan signed him...............................it allowed mellor to join widnes (now there is a star of the future)

"Why is Napoleon crying ?" said one sailor to the other, "poor ###### thinks he's being exiled to st helens" came the reply.

He needs a decent pack to play off. But he might just get all of that at Wigan and he might develop into a true international. Lot of 'might's there though. I hope he does become a great, for GB's sake.

Interesting times for Wigan, having to replace Finch and Leuluai. But it does look like the 2013 pack will be pretty good (barring injuries).

A mind is like a parachute. It doesn’t work if it isn’t open. Frank Zappa (1940 - 1993)

Too early to tell how Smith will turn out.
Leuluai was exceptional but one thing that Smith can bring that Tommy didn't have and that's a kicking game.
Wigan's pack next season will be massive. Prescott, Mossop, Dudson, Taylor, Hock, Crosby and Gelling are all 6'3" or above.
There is plenty skill, power and pace in the forwards and if they can get on the front foot both half backs, Green and Smith, could do very well indeed.
Like all Rugby games, the fortunes of the half backs will be determined by the forwards.
In that regard Wigan are very well fixed.

I'm glad Smith didn't rejoin Saints, too limited to ever be a really top class half back. He has poor pace for a half and rarely beats a man. His biggest strenght is his kicking but thats erratic. When on form his kicking is great but all too often that goes to pot, especially if put under pressure - a poor mans Lee Briers.

I've no doubt he will have a few good games for Wigan and pies wiill be claiming he's world class, but he's a long way off that. I think it was a panic buy from Wigan and one they'll regret in the long run. I can't even see him being their number one scrum half in a few years time, let alone Englands number 7.

He's not the worst scrum-half out there, but certainly won't develop into the best we have. Just lacks the crucial 'special' something that is needed to be a top quality halfback. He's functional, which is probably the best compliment I can give him. Wigan will be in the market for a big name 7 for 2014, mark my words.

Smith does illustrate an interestng point. Wigan could sign Hardaker, say, but while he is a far better player than Smith, Smith is worth more to us because his ability to stick to a passing plan and kick effectively makes him a decent Deacon replacement. We have runners galore and plenty of big lads - they need to be pointed in the right direction.
If you contrast that with Saints, say, they looked to this observer to have 2 very conspicuous weaknesses. Their back 5 were no threat in attack, and they need decent props. They look to have tried to remedy the first, but signing Manu just adds depth to a deep pool of second rowers. It's all about team building.

Smith is a very astute signing for Wigan,as EW and others have stated Wigan have a good pack next season and need someone to get them around the field.he may not be flashy but he will stick to the gameplan and does the basics well.

Smith does illustrate an interestng point. Wigan could sign Hardaker, say, but while he is a far better player than Smith, Smith is worth more to us because his ability to stick to a passing plan and kick effectively makes him a decent Deacon replacement. We have runners galore and plenty of big lads - they need to be pointed in the right direction.If you contrast that with Saints, say, they looked to this observer to have 2 very conspicuous weaknesses. Their back 5 were no threat in attack, and they need decent props. They look to have tried to remedy the first, but signing Manu just adds depth to a deep pool of second rowers. It's all about team building.

I always thought it daft of Saints to let Smith go as he is the kind of half back every team needs, not flash but someone who can work a team around a football field. I know Long really wanted to keep him at Salford, and whilst you might question Long's judgment on many things in life, I would back him to know a good half back when he sees one.

Saints are desperately short of biff in the pack, have been for a while and for some reason haven't really done anything to rectify it. The young signing from Batley looks a good prospect but we need more like him. What's the old saying about props winning pots?

I sincerely hope that Gaskell is played more this season, he has a very good footballing brain and can work the team around the field, and went alright with Lomax in 2010. The latter is not really a scrum half and his distribution to the right is very limited, one of the reasons Shenton never really shone with the club, and as for Hohaia, a Chairman's pick with 3 more years to go and no-one knows where to play him.

Of the big four, I would say Saints currently have the most imbalanced and 'overgrown' squad and whilst we can turn anyone over on the day, I see another season without finals football.